Animal Adaptation

Polar bears and birds try to flee climate change

As ice melts in the arctic, animals such as polar bears are gradually moving north—trying to stay ahead of the warming temperatures. Meanwhile, the annual Christmas Bird Count, a huge amateur effort to track avian migration and population, shows that birds are shifting their movements in response to climate change, too.

Polar bears and migrating birds can’t stop climate change. All they can do is try to run away. They really don’t have any other options.

But we do.

If we humans change our habits, like driving as little as possible, limiting our consumption of energy and resources, and supporting companies that do the same, maybe our changes will make a difference.